Jarryd Hayne breaks down in tears as he has another big win in court after successful appeal over rape conviction – and jokes about why he can’t return to playing footy

Sexual assault charges against former NRL superstar Jarryd Hayne have been officially dropped, a court has announced.

Three days after the Director of Public Prosecutions announced that a fourth trial would not be filed against the former Parramatta and Gold Coast fullback, Hayne surprisingly appeared in court at Sydney’s Downing Center along with his lawyers on Friday.

Judge Craig Everson was told the DPP had dropped two counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

Mr Hayne, 36, has consistently denied the charges and his conviction has twice been quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal.

He burst into tears and said he was “staying true” to himself as he thanked God and the people who had supported him during the long legal saga over the alleged attack.

The former Parramatta Eels fullback also joked that he now looks more like a front rower after putting on weight in prison, while pouring cold water on the possibility of returning to football at the age of 36.

Hayne was released earlier this month after his convictions were quashed.

He spent more than a year behind bars after a jury found him guilty in April 2023 of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

The former Parramatta Eels star wept as he thanked God and his supporters before joking about how much his body has changed in prison, while casting doubt on his chances of returning to football after regaining his freedom.

The 36-year-old (pictured outside court on Friday) said dropping the charges was ‘a vindication for myself, my family and my loved ones’

The director of public prosecutions confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that he will not face a fourth trial.

“Yes, obviously excited,” Mr Hayne said outside the courtroom, looking relieved as he walked out with his barrister Margaret Cunneen SC and prosecutor Lauren MacDougall.

‘I have been true to myself all the time, the whole process. Today is a vindication for myself, my family and my loved ones.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me from day one, stood by me and stood by my side.”

At one point, Mr. Hayne stopped because he became emotional and could not find the words.

“After careful consideration of the many competing factors affecting the assessment of the public interest in this case, the ODPP has decided not to bring a fourth trial against Mr Hayne,” the prosecution said at the hearing.

Hayne (pictured released from prison earlier this month) spent more than a year behind bars after a jury found him guilty in a verdict that has since been overturned on appeal

The fullback’s glittering football career (pictured playing for Parramatta in 2018) now appears to be over, despite winning his freedom

The two-time Dally M winner and NFL convert has consistently denied the allegations, claiming the sexual encounter, at the woman’s Newcastle home at the 2018 NRL finals, was entirely consensual.

His first trial in 2021 resulted in a jury that could not reach an agreement. After a second trial, he was found guilty, but the verdict was overturned on appeal.

After a third trial, a jury accepted the woman’s version of events, with her repeatedly saying “no” and “stop.”

However, the state’s highest court overturned Mr. Hayne’s conviction after ruling that the judge had erred in not allowing further investigation of the complainant.

The appeal was upheld by the Court of Criminal Appeal by a 2-1 majority decision.

In her part of the sentencing, Judge Deborah Sweeney said the guilty verdicts were unreasonable and that she was “of the opinion that there is a significant possibility that an innocent person has been convicted”.

Hayne is still facing a civil lawsuit from his accuser, who is suing him for an undisclosed amount over the alleged attack.